“Is there something I can help you with?” I asked shortly. Hearing his voice reminded me of where he was last night. And where he wasn’t.
“What’s wrong? You have a tone,” he said, sounding confused.
“I’m fine,” I answered.
“Oh no,” he groaned.
“What?”
“When a woman says she’s fine, she is definitelynotfine. I have a mother and a sister. I know these things.”
I didn’t respond. I thought about hanging up on him but figured I could just use the silent treatment to make my point.
“You’re angry with me,” he deduced.
“I’m not angry. I’m just busy,” I countered. I was proud of how neutral I sounded. Unaffected. There was no way I’d tell him how pissed I had been to realize I had been blown off.
“Okay. I won’t keep you. I only wanted to call and apologize for not showing up last night.”
Was it customary for a one-night stand to call and apologize for standing you up?
I had no idea.
“It’s okay—”
“It’s really not. I told you I was coming over and I didn’t. That’s not how I am. I’m sorry, Morgan. It wasn’t my intention to stand you up.”
“Apologies aren’t necessary. You don’t owe me anything.” Cold as ice. I didn’t care. I wouldn’t let him rattle me.
Lucas was quiet for a moment. “No, I suppose I don’t. But I wanted to give you one anyway.”
That hurt. Damn him.
“Well, thanks. Look, I need to get going—”
“I got drunk. I didn’t mean to. But I was out with the lads and one drink led to two. Then three. When people buy them for you, you tend to lose count. And then I got a ride home. Actually I passed out on the ride home. I realized this morning as soon as I woke up that I never texted you to let you know I wasn’t coming and I felt like a right tit. I wanted to see you last night. I didn’t want you to think that I didn’t.”
“I’m sure you had plenty of company. I understand that mine wasn’t required,” I couldn’t stop myself from saying.
I sounded jealous.
Yuck.
“Pardon?” Lucas sounded confused.
I rubbed my temple, feeling a pounding headache coming on. “I saw the pictures. At least I’m not front page news anymore.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about—”
“Forget about it. Like I said, I’m at work, so I need to go.”
“Morgan, hold on a minute—” He sounded as though he was getting angry.Well that makes two of us, buddy.
“Take care, Lucas. Bye.” I hung up the phone before either of us could say anything else. There was a note of finality to it.
I walked back into the office feeling a little depressed. Yep, people were definitely staring at me. I thought about flipping them all the bird on my way to my desk, but decided against it.
Instead I buried my head in my work and put all thoughts of Lucas Bradley out of my mind.
